Program ParticipantSurrey International Writers ConferenceSurrey (Vancouver), British ColumbiaOctober 23-26, 2008www.siwc.ca

Rob will be offering this three-hour master class on on Thursday, October 23:

“The Intimately Human and the Grandly Cosmic”  making your science fiction appeal not just to the mind but to the heart as well. The number-one reason mainstream readers don’t even try science fiction is they think it has nothing to offer them emotionally: they wrongly believe that it’s either too dry and intellectual, or that any character development is sketchy and any character drama is simplistic and juvenile. But the best science fiction is as emotionally complex, as heart-wrenching, as moving, and as uplifting as the best mainstream fiction. Learn how to balance both halves of the term “science fiction” without giving short-shrift to either.

In addition, he will be doing this 75-minute workshop on Sunday, October 25:

“Showing, Not Telling.” Everyone knows you’re supposed to show, not tell  but what does that mean exactly? How do you convey information without coming out and saying it? How can you show emotion without naming it? And when should you tell instead of show?

And he’ll be appearing on panels on “Speculative Fiction” and “Writing Best Sellers,” plus giving a keynote address.